What do you think?
Rate this book
The Skeleton Palms
A thirteen-year-old boy bludgeons a man to death in an abandoned building. A vanload of migrants is delivered to sex traffickers in a deserted Las Vegas suburb. A superyacht moors off Malibu in the glare of a massive wildfire as a passenger drowns. A biker gang is massacred in the northern California wilderness. A blind man staggers to an agonizing death in the Nevada desert—all savage milestones in the life and career of Tom Bridger, ex-cop, private investigator, killer. Told in two interlocking narratives, The Skeleton Palms follows Bridger from his brutal childhood and youth in a spectacularly lawless California mountain town, to the palatial homes of the wealthy in Palm Springs and Los Angeles where he becomes the target, and nemesis, of a vast conspiracy.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2021
12 people are currently reading
3518 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 28, 2023
Gratuitous violence in the name of the law. Well, the law that’s found in a corrupt, criminal, drug manufacturing county where the few law-abiding citizens are in the minority and spend their nights behind locked doors due to fear of what’s going on outside.
The bad guys outnumber the good guys in Hexum and it’s understandable that a young boy can pickup some bad habits that will last the rest of his life. Vicious treatment of those deemed criminals is the standard behavior of the local County Sheriffs Department and our young boy, Tom, comes under the dubious protection of the Sheriff. This is one of the timelines of this book. The other timeline is Tom as an adult after he moves from Sheriff’s Department to a private security service where all his skills are useful.
This is one very dark and vicious book. I’ve always enjoyed detective noir books. My favorite authors of darkness are Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammet, Mickey Spillane (my Dad’s favorite) and more currently Henning Mankell and several Norse authors who know how to write dark but I think this one was too dark even for me. Gratuitous violence repeated over and over to seemingly create a dark atmosphere did just the opposite for me. Less book and I would have enjoyed this read much more.
Technically I’ve given this book a 3.5 but I’ve rounded it up since GR doesn’t allow half stars.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway.
The bad guys outnumber the good guys in Hexum and it’s understandable that a young boy can pickup some bad habits that will last the rest of his life. Vicious treatment of those deemed criminals is the standard behavior of the local County Sheriffs Department and our young boy, Tom, comes under the dubious protection of the Sheriff. This is one of the timelines of this book. The other timeline is Tom as an adult after he moves from Sheriff’s Department to a private security service where all his skills are useful.
This is one very dark and vicious book. I’ve always enjoyed detective noir books. My favorite authors of darkness are Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammet, Mickey Spillane (my Dad’s favorite) and more currently Henning Mankell and several Norse authors who know how to write dark but I think this one was too dark even for me. Gratuitous violence repeated over and over to seemingly create a dark atmosphere did just the opposite for me. Less book and I would have enjoyed this read much more.
Technically I’ve given this book a 3.5 but I’ve rounded it up since GR doesn’t allow half stars.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway.
September 9, 2021
This novel is much more than just a thriller. It is a twisted odyssey through a morally poisonous, ethically bereft American underside, with a protagonist able to perceive evil but unfitted by his own history to act against it.
The intricate and ever-expanding plot exposes the monstrous in it's characters, and ultimately the workings of an inevitable, hideously mythic fate.
Beautifully written, and merciless in its observation, "The Skeleton Palms" is highly recommended.
The intricate and ever-expanding plot exposes the monstrous in it's characters, and ultimately the workings of an inevitable, hideously mythic fate.
Beautifully written, and merciless in its observation, "The Skeleton Palms" is highly recommended.
August 25, 2021
At its best The Skeleton Palms by Cary Watson has a noirish Jim Thompson (Pop. 1280, The Killer Inside Me) quality to it, at its worst it is overlong, uneven, and cliched. Basically, it's the life story of a sociopathic man named Tom Bridger, a man who is not terribly sympathetic but not without some positive qualities.
It's an ambitious story that begins with Bridger caught up in a dispute between a billionaire and his trophy wife, there's some confusion at first as the reader is dropped into a situation with no preamble and then has to follow along on faith that it will all make sense at some point and it mostly does but it takes a loooong time getting to it. The chapters alternate between "today" (the current situation) and the "distant past" (how young Tom Bridger's life led him to be the man in this predicament).
The contemporary part of the story is full of cliches and speeches about jaded rich people and the corrupting influence of obscene wealth, etc. The other part is a coming of age story that profiles the making of a killer. It has a lot more nuance and a bit more sympathy (Tom is only 8-years old when this part begins) but alas, it is a little overlong... Tries to be too much and ends up being a bit of a struggle to read as the narrative ebbs and flows and has too many climactic resolutions that don't seem to get resolved.
This book could have made two complete full length novels though, no doubt, some of the impact would have been lost. The two narratives are somewhat different styles. The coming of age part being more along the lines of a dark fable - almost Dickensian in its bleakness with over-the-top Tarantino sensibilities. The contemporary portion is part convoluted revenge tale with action/adventure flourishes.
The end result, for me, was that it was just too long and uneven. I wouldn't recommend it but at the same time I might suggest it as an example of something more ambitious and experimental than the norm.
*""I received a free digital copy of this title through net galley
It's an ambitious story that begins with Bridger caught up in a dispute between a billionaire and his trophy wife, there's some confusion at first as the reader is dropped into a situation with no preamble and then has to follow along on faith that it will all make sense at some point and it mostly does but it takes a loooong time getting to it. The chapters alternate between "today" (the current situation) and the "distant past" (how young Tom Bridger's life led him to be the man in this predicament).
The contemporary part of the story is full of cliches and speeches about jaded rich people and the corrupting influence of obscene wealth, etc. The other part is a coming of age story that profiles the making of a killer. It has a lot more nuance and a bit more sympathy (Tom is only 8-years old when this part begins) but alas, it is a little overlong... Tries to be too much and ends up being a bit of a struggle to read as the narrative ebbs and flows and has too many climactic resolutions that don't seem to get resolved.
This book could have made two complete full length novels though, no doubt, some of the impact would have been lost. The two narratives are somewhat different styles. The coming of age part being more along the lines of a dark fable - almost Dickensian in its bleakness with over-the-top Tarantino sensibilities. The contemporary portion is part convoluted revenge tale with action/adventure flourishes.
The end result, for me, was that it was just too long and uneven. I wouldn't recommend it but at the same time I might suggest it as an example of something more ambitious and experimental than the norm.
*""I received a free digital copy of this title through net galley
October 11, 2023
From the very first sentence, you will get sucked into the cruel underworld of crime. This is a tale of ethical deprivation and a lack of morals. It's an ambitious story, with the plotlines alternating between now and the past. You'll get to see the makings of a killer, and that will help you understand his motivations.
It's hard to review this book, as there seems to be a tendency towards verbosity and gratuitous violence everywhere. That being said, the plot was action-packed and really entertaining. It makes you question how bad someone can really be, and it'll not be easy to answer it. I found myself disliking the character, then empathizing with him over and over again.
Overall, this was a fun ride. It's definitely a very enjoyable read!
Many thanks for the online copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
It's hard to review this book, as there seems to be a tendency towards verbosity and gratuitous violence everywhere. That being said, the plot was action-packed and really entertaining. It makes you question how bad someone can really be, and it'll not be easy to answer it. I found myself disliking the character, then empathizing with him over and over again.
Overall, this was a fun ride. It's definitely a very enjoyable read!
Many thanks for the online copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 31, 2021
“I’m impaled by the heat.”
From the first sentence I was drawn into this tale of an unfamiliar, cruel, criminal underworld. I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did but I loved the descriptions of the scenery and the well-developed relationships. The story flips back from the past to present day and helps you understand the motivations of the main character and build compassion for him. He’s a James Bond meets Sons of Anarchy kinda guy. Highly recommend!
From the first sentence I was drawn into this tale of an unfamiliar, cruel, criminal underworld. I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did but I loved the descriptions of the scenery and the well-developed relationships. The story flips back from the past to present day and helps you understand the motivations of the main character and build compassion for him. He’s a James Bond meets Sons of Anarchy kinda guy. Highly recommend!
November 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this coming of age story. The development of the Bridger character in such a lawless setting made him both likeable and terrifying in the scope of violence. Cary Watson is a great writer who is occasionally a tad verbose which can interrupt the flow of his writing but definitely an entertaining read.
August 18, 2021
This book really had me enthralled.
A cross between The Goldfinch and a gritty thriller.
It takes a little to get the story started, but once it does there is a lot going on. The main character is completely believable while the assorted cast of bad guys makes you scared to drive anywhere near the desert.
5 stars!
A cross between The Goldfinch and a gritty thriller.
It takes a little to get the story started, but once it does there is a lot going on. The main character is completely believable while the assorted cast of bad guys makes you scared to drive anywhere near the desert.
5 stars!
May 10, 2023
I'm very happy to have won a copy of The Skeleton Palms in a Goodreads Giveaway.
It's my first experience with Watson and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! It's not often that I sort of fall right into an author's writing cadence and, from the beginning, feel like I'm driving a car that I know really well but that's how it was with The Skeleton Palms. The plot moved along at a nice pace, the world Watson has created was fleshed out enough that I wasn't distracted by niggling questions about missing info or characters who acted differently than the story line would have me believe.
Tom Bridger isn't a good guy, but he's the best man in this story. We go back and forth from his current deeds to his awful childhood, which does make you really want to be on his side. But how bad can a good guy be? Ask yourself as you go along - Watson doesn't make it an easy question to answer, at least for me.
It's my first experience with Watson and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! It's not often that I sort of fall right into an author's writing cadence and, from the beginning, feel like I'm driving a car that I know really well but that's how it was with The Skeleton Palms. The plot moved along at a nice pace, the world Watson has created was fleshed out enough that I wasn't distracted by niggling questions about missing info or characters who acted differently than the story line would have me believe.
Tom Bridger isn't a good guy, but he's the best man in this story. We go back and forth from his current deeds to his awful childhood, which does make you really want to be on his side. But how bad can a good guy be? Ask yourself as you go along - Watson doesn't make it an easy question to answer, at least for me.
October 2, 2022
Skeleton Palms provides readers a rather long saga of a man that seems to always find himself in very difficult and unpleasant situations since a young boy. I found myself moving from liking and disliking the main character particularly as the story is written alternating between his life as a child and adult. This alternating writing pattern at times was detracting and presented a bit of difficulty for me in following the story line within a particular timeframe. Overall this was unfortunately just an okay 3 star read.
My thanks to the sponsors of this book’s goodreads giveaway for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
My thanks to the sponsors of this book’s goodreads giveaway for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
July 13, 2023
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I had to DNF this book. I’m in a personal place where this kind of narrative and character background is going to be too hard for me to read further. A really good friend who was abused by his father just died. I’m also a mom of a toddler boy. Reading about any kind of DV and manipulation is a no go zone for me at the moment.
I had to DNF this book. I’m in a personal place where this kind of narrative and character background is going to be too hard for me to read further. A really good friend who was abused by his father just died. I’m also a mom of a toddler boy. Reading about any kind of DV and manipulation is a no go zone for me at the moment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2023
The Skeleton Palms was dark, gritty, and straddled the lines between good and evil. I honestly didn't know what to expect going into this story, but I enjoyed it way more than I anticipated.
I love that we get to read the perspectives from both young Tom and adult Tom, as well as see where the collection of his life's choices led him. There's the lifelong argument that we've all heard- nature or nurture? I've always been a huge believer that neither one acts alone in molding a human being. I think this story is the perfect example of how so many factors in life shape us into the person we are.
Another component of this story that really stood out to me is its ability to show the reader how little of life is black and white. The majority of what we see and experience seems to fall somewhere in between. Tom, while neither good nor bad, is symbolic of this "gray" side of life. The feelings I associated with this character while reading were complex and confusing at times, but it made this read so much more engaging, deep, and authentically human.
I love that we get to read the perspectives from both young Tom and adult Tom, as well as see where the collection of his life's choices led him. There's the lifelong argument that we've all heard- nature or nurture? I've always been a huge believer that neither one acts alone in molding a human being. I think this story is the perfect example of how so many factors in life shape us into the person we are.
Another component of this story that really stood out to me is its ability to show the reader how little of life is black and white. The majority of what we see and experience seems to fall somewhere in between. Tom, while neither good nor bad, is symbolic of this "gray" side of life. The feelings I associated with this character while reading were complex and confusing at times, but it made this read so much more engaging, deep, and authentically human.
December 9, 2022
Action packed with lots of bodies dropping
This was a long book with two separate story lines going. They finally come together very close to the end. What a ride! Didn't like the ending though.
This was a long book with two separate story lines going. They finally come together very close to the end. What a ride! Didn't like the ending though.
March 3, 2023
This story tells the life of a young boy who grows up mostly on his own. He has a lot of bad influence with turn him into someone not real nice. You see glimpses of him trying to be better but it is a lot to overcome.
June 7, 2023
Action packed!
I found this book to be exhilarating. Two stories of different time periods of the main character's life come together in a poetically tragic way.
(I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.)
I found this book to be exhilarating. Two stories of different time periods of the main character's life come together in a poetically tragic way.
(I received this book as part of a Goodreads Giveaway.)
November 3, 2023
Interesting Thriller
Won this book on a Goodreads Giveaway. Wasn't what I was expecting, but in kept my attention. Following two timelines kept everything moving and was left wanting each chapter to end and get to the next chapter to pick up where the other timeline left off.
Won this book on a Goodreads Giveaway. Wasn't what I was expecting, but in kept my attention. Following two timelines kept everything moving and was left wanting each chapter to end and get to the next chapter to pick up where the other timeline left off.
September 22, 2021
Excellent read
March 1, 2022
Pending— accidentally clicked on the wrong book to review.
May 13, 2022
A good plot about a sociopathic killer.
February 20, 2023
I received this book from a Goodreads Givaway. I enjoyed the book, not necessarily my standard genre but I like to read variety. I like the 2 timelines.
March 1, 2023
This novel follows Tom’s life, from a cruel childhood through his adult life. There is a lot of action in Tom’s life from drugs, murder, corruption, etc.
Thanks to the publisher and goodreads for this free ebook.
Thanks to the publisher and goodreads for this free ebook.
May 18, 2023
Gratuitous. There's no better word for it. I enjoyed some of the scenes that made me feel like I was watching an action movie, but that's the best it had to offer. Some of the violence was so twisted that I felt physically sick. Reading this was always intended as a foray out of my usual genres, and it reminded me why I stick with them. Not for me.
June 12, 2023
i won the kindle version of this book in a giveaway so thank you goodreads and the publisher! i also bought the physical book so as soon as i read it i’ll be back with my thoughts 😊
June 16, 2023
This was not my cup of tea. It took me a while to finish it but the writing style just confused me a bit
October 28, 2023
I enjoyed this book quite a bit.
February 3, 2024
Good novel
T
His was a good novel,action packed to separate story lines that come together towards the end. The ending was a little disappointing but this was a good book.
T
His was a good novel,action packed to separate story lines that come together towards the end. The ending was a little disappointing but this was a good book.
February 9, 2024
Enjoyed this book
March 14, 2024
I liked this book, but it felt looooong and often hard to follow with so many characters.
Disclaimer: I won a free copy via Giveaways
Disclaimer: I won a free copy via Giveaways
May 8, 2025
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway. Such a thrilling story and I couldn't put it down.
October 26, 2023
A long but good read!
This is a very long read. But you will get so sucked into the story line that it will not matter. The Bridger character is one of those characters that you love and you hate, or even love to hate. I encourage you to read this book if you enjoy twists and turns like I do.
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. My review was not influenced at all
This is a very long read. But you will get so sucked into the story line that it will not matter. The Bridger character is one of those characters that you love and you hate, or even love to hate. I encourage you to read this book if you enjoy twists and turns like I do.
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. My review was not influenced at all
February 23, 2024
This book could've been edited down to being half as long. I didn't particularly care very much for the main character; it's basically "bad influences can make or break you". The violence was too much for me to handle. This isn't my cup of tea when it comes to thrillers. Sorry, not sorry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews